January 2017 Newsletter
January Tasting Events
A VERY SPECIAL TASTING——THURSDAY, JANUARY 12th - 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Our Annual Staff Selections Tasting -
NO WINES BARRED
We’ll taste 5 of the Staff’s favorite wines regardless (almost) of the cost.
Discounts will be offered on all staff favorites during the tasting.
The Last Saturday Wine School
THEME: – Manipulated wines: Better taste or too much science?
Something NEW! The last Saturday of the month will turn from a “whatever we feel like drinking†tasting event to a mini wine school tasting. We’ll pick a topic, theme, etc. and taste with a purpose! The wines we taste will be offered as a package with a discount. This is very informal with no scheduled start or finish time. Each session will be about 10 minutes! Come anytime between 2 and 5 pm on Saturday, Jan. 28th.
January “SHORT SIPS†CLASS – Aperitif/ Aromatized Wines
Aromatized wines stand out for their enduring impact on classic cocktails, but they were originally intended as Aperitifs. We’ll taste 5 from the Americante and Chinato/Quinquina family. A one hour educational program, limited to eight people and held in our fine wine room. Because the demand has been so great we are doing the class twice in JANUARY – FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JANUARY 20th and 21rd from 5:30 to 6:30pm –– There is a $5 per person class fee and availability is on a first come first serve basis but you can call & reserve spaces at any time. (A great idea for your group as a prelude to dinner.)
WINE TASTING EVERY SATURDAY 2:00pm-7:00pm
‘Whatever we feel like openingâ€
2014 F A I L L A Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, CA.
Some say Failla is a reference point for Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.
From Antonio Galloni: “The 2014 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is a fabulous wine at this level. Sweet spices, rose petal, mint and succulent cherry/plum notes all lift from the glass. Supple and beautifully layered throughout, the Sonoma Coast hits all the right notes. A final burst of fruit rushes across the palate on the refreshing, inviting wine. There is so much to like.†(Vinous 2/16)Reg. price: $39.99—on sale $32.99/btl.
2013 Marimar Estate Pinot Noir"Mas Cavalls" Doña Margarita Vineyard Sonoma Coast, CA.
This organic vineyard, (Doña Margarita) named after the late matriarch of the Torres family, is located on Bohemian Highway, between Freestone and Occidental, in the Sonoma Coast AVA. The bottling is named “ Mas Cavalls†after the Catalan name for horse farm, as an equestrian center lies right below the vineyard. Only six miles from the Pacific Ocean, the cool breezes and drifting fog make it an ideal site for Pinot Noir.
A review from Wine Spectator: “This red is smoky and creamy, shaded by roasted herb and sage notes that provide a frame for the spicy berry and cedary oak flavors. Ends up complex, layered and long. Drink now. 3,765 cases made. WS 6/15/16) Regular price: $41.99—on sale $32.99/btl.
2013 OAKVILLE WINERY Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, CA
We were intrigued by this winery after a visit to Napa last summer as their Pelissa Vineyard, (formerly known as “BV 7,†one of the vineyards responsible for some of the great BV “Georges de Latour†Cabernet Sauvignons) located directly behind the winery, is across the from Opus One and across Highway 29 from the famous ToKalon vineyard. This, Rutherford bench vineyard is the epicenter of Napa Valley Cabernet. We started selling this wine in October and it became one of our best-selling Cabernets. Now we have an opportunity to offer a discounted price.
Here is a review from Robert Parkers’ Wine advocate: “A charming wine, offering an elegant array of supple-textured licorice, sage and dusty red and dark berry notes. Most impressive on the long, tapered finish, which lets the flavors glide along on the aftertaste. Drink now. 2,000 cases made†Regular Price: $55.99 On SALE: $46.99(No further discounts. /While supplies last.)
2009 Bodegas Luis Cañas Selección de la Familia Reserva - SALE on Single bottles
Offered on sale by the case in Dec. but we goofed and bought too many and now we’ll offer a deal on single bottles!
2009 Bodegas Luis Cañas Selección de la Familia Reserva, Rioja Spain – (85% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon) “Opaque ruby. Ripe dark berries, vanilla and candied flowers on the pungent nose, with a minerally quality adding lift. Spicy and expansive on the palate, offering intense cherry and raspberry liqueur flavors and a hint of mocha. Becomes deeper and more broad with air and finishes with velvety tannins and a repeating floral pastille note that lingers with strong tenacity.†(Josh Raynolds- Vinous 11/15) Regular Price: $33.99/btl. ON Sale: 24.99/btl. (No further discounts. /While supplies last.)
WINTER WEIGHT NEW ARRIVALS- Rhone
This is the month to drink Rhone red wines, with stews, roasted meats, etc. and we have a Rhone wine in our monthly case but if you want to take it up a notch, here are a few delicious new arrivals:
2014 Auguste Clape , Le Vin des Amis, VDF Rhone wine, France- “While the Côtes du Rhône is slightly more structured and serious, the Vin de France 2014 Le Vin des Amis offers incredible upfront charm and gulp-ability. Black olive, smoked meats, plum and assorted dark fruits flow nicely to a plump, rich, rounded, and sexy 2014 that has solid concentration and a great finish. It’s a knockout VDF to enjoy over the coming 3-5 years.†(WA 222) $29.99
2012 Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France – “Bright ruby-red. Intense, spice-laced cherry and dark berries on the fragrant nose, with notes of licorice, spicecake and lavender adding complexity. Silky, expansive blackberry, cherry compote and succulent herb flavors become firmer and spicier with air, picking up notes of white pepper and allspice. Finishes silky and very long, with superb clarity and supple tannins. This gets my vote as the best “basic” Châteauneuf bottling of the vintage.†(Vinous 4/15) $69.99
2012 Domaine Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape “Le Secret de Sabons†France –“Inky ruby. Blackberry, singed plum, cassis, vanilla, bitter chocolate and potpourri on the intensely perfumed nose. Dense, concentrated, sweet and seamless, offering primary black and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors and a spicy oak accent. Finishes with broad, supple tannins, a suggestion of licorice and excellent length.
(Vinous 1/14) $189.99
…AND ITALY
2012 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Francia, Piedmont, Italy – “Since the 2010 vintage, this wine is named Francia (not Cascina Francia) to keep with the new Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive (or official cru naming) in Barolo and Barbaresco. The 2012 Barolo Francia is a seductive and silky expression that flows gracefully over the palate with power and determination. The nose is expressive, and decidedly more articulate than many of the more muted wines made by neighboring estates in this warm vintage. The quality of the mouthfeel is of special interest. This beautiful Barolo already shows stunning texture, richness & integrity, despite this very early preview tasting. I tasted this wine in barrel shortly before bottling.â€(WA #225) $229.99
…AND ARGENTINA
2013 Son Vida Malbec Mendoza, Argentina – “From a high-elevation estate in the heart of Malbec country, the Valle de Uco, Son Vida’s 2013 Malbec is 95% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 15% new French oak for 14 months. This wine shows loads of blackberry fruit and hints of white chocolate and espresso bean in a medium to full-bodied, beautifully rich, full style with terrific focus and freshness. This should drink well for at least 5-6 years.†(WA 3/16) $24.99
NEW ARRIVALS: EXPRESSIONS OF PLACE
Here are two wines that express beautifully express place and time.
2015 Domaine Philippe Tessiere Cheverny, Loire Valley, France – (60% Gamay 30% Pinot Noir 10% Côt) Pinot Noir contributes spice and floral, Gamay provides fruitiness, while Côt (Malbec) imparts structure. From organically farmed grapes this fresh Loire valley red offers light to medium bodied deliciousness and gulpable red fruit. $20.99
2010 Juan Gonzalez BastÃas “Matorralâ€, Maule Valley Chile - This 100% estate Pais (THE Original grape of Chile) is from a 200 year old single vineyard in the Maule region and bottled during a waning moon. Dry with notes of plum, almonds, anise, and brown sugar on the nose with hints of pineapple sage, pine nettles leading to a smooth, nicely balanced finish. $27.99
MONTHLY SPECIALS
Jan 2017 | Usual | Case (cs.btl cost) |
|
---|---|---|---|
*2015 Estaban Martin Carinena "Baron de Funes", Aragon, Sp. | $ 6.99 | $ 8.99 | $ 78 ($ 6.50) |
*2015 Laballe Landes Blanc "Sables Fauves", Cotes de Gascogne, Fr. | $ 8.99 | $11.99 | $ 96 ($ 8.00) |
*2015 Paul Direder Gruner Veltliner, Niederosterreich, Austria | $ 8.99 | $10.99 | $ 96 ($ 8.00) |
*2015 Giuseppe Bocchino Barbera d'Asti "Arduine", Piedmont, Italy | $11.99 | $13.99 | $132 ($11.00) |
2015 Collina San Ponzio Roero Arneis, Piedmont, Italy | $12.99 | $14.99 | $144 ($12.00) |
2015 Avantis Estate Malagousia, Evia, Greece | $12.99 | $14.99 | $144 ($12.00) |
2014 Domaine les Grimaudes Costieres de Nimes, Rhone, France | $12.99 | $14.99 | $144 ($12.00) |
2014 Domaine Labbe Pinot Noir, Savoie, France | $13.99 | $15.99 | $156 ($13.00) |
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